Republic of South Africa: Maj-Gen Lindile Yam takes command of the Infantry

The Infantry Formation of the South African Army, the single largest component of the SA National Defence Force’s (SANDF) landward arm, has a new boss.

Maj-Gen Lindile Yam took over command of the formation from Lt-Gen Temba Nkabinde, currently chief: SANDF human resources, at a parade at Army College in Thaba Tshwane on Friday.

Both men served as members of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the ANC’s armed wing under apartheid, and joined the SANDF during integration of the military in 1994.

Yam previously served as commandant of the Military Academy at Saldanha while Nkabinde has, among other posts, been South Africa’s military attaché in Tanzania.

SA Infantry Battalions 2, 4 and 21 were part of the battalion in review parade to welcome the new Infantry Formation General Officer Commanding. With a majority of SANDF Reserve Force Units being dedicated motorised infantry ones, Regiment Noord Transvaal, Transvaal Scottish and SA Irish Regiment were part of the battalion parade.